Stanley Nwabali has been one of the most talked-about free agents in African football since leaving Chippa United in February, and the Super Eagles goalkeeper has now addressed the wave of speculation around his future, Footynaija.com reports.
Nwabali has been linked with Kaizer Chiefs, Raja Casablanca, Simba SC, Queens Park Rangers, and clubs in Saudi Arabia, among others. His representative has since dismissed the Kaizer Chiefs reports specifically as fake, revealing that the goalkeeper is currently staying fit at an undisclosed location while waiting for the right move to materialise.
None of the other links have progressed into formal discussions, and Nwabali himself has been watching it all with amusement.
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Speaking in a report by Soccer Laduma, the 29-year-old welcomed the attention but was careful to separate noise from reality.
“Rumours are always rumours. When people wish you well and they want you to achieve something, you understand,” he said.
“It’s not necessarily a bad thing when people start rumours. It shows that you are relevant and that people recognise your quality. It’s not a bad thought, but at the end of the day, it’s just a rumour. You will only know for sure when you see me signing for a club or wearing their shirt.”
“I’m not worried. I don’t have a specific country or league where I’m desperate to play. Wherever welcomes me and feels right, I can play. That’s it,” he added.
The relaxed tone masks a situation that carries real risk. Most European and African transfer windows have already closed, meaning Nwabali could end up sitting out the rest of the season before a summer move becomes possible.
Eric Chelle has reportedly made handed the number one shirt to Francis Uzoho for the March international window after deciding he could not afford to pick a goalkeeper who is not playing competitive football.
For a keeper who was Nigeria’s undisputed first choice across two AFCONs, the next few months will be crucial.
